In the Standards Related to Essential Health Benefits, Actuarial Value, and Accreditation Final Rule ("EHB Rule"), HHS defines EHB based on state-specific benchmark plans. CCIIO has posted a summary of each state's EHB-benchmark plan on the CCIIO website (http://cciio.cms.gov/resources/data/ehb.html). The EHB-benchmark plan begins as the selected or default plan ("base benchmark") and is amended and/or supplemented to meet the requirements for coverage of benefits and limits described in 45 CFR 156.110.

The following policy documents contain additional details about the base benchmark plans. Although they may not reflect all EHB and Affordable Care Act requirements including all the limitations and benefits covered by the EHB-benchmark, these documents are available to assist issuers when designing EHB plan benefits that are substantially equal to the EHB-benchmark plan. Scroll through the drop-down menu to find more information on that state's benchmark plan, then click "Open File" to download.